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The International Law Section Gazette
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REGISTRATION IS OPEN for iLaw 2019
Please join us for our annual flagship conference on
Friday, February 22, 2019 at the
JW Marriott Marquis in Miami. This year's conference will feature programming on hot issues in international litigation, arbitration, and business transactions. As in previous years, we have teamed up with the
International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR) for the international arbitration track. We have limited rooms available, so reserve your room early! For more information please visit our website,
www.internationallawsection.org, or contact this year's co-chairs,
Jacqueline Villalba,
jvillalba@harpermeyer.com;
Kristin Drecktrah Paz,
kpaz@shutts.com; or
Cristina Vicens
cvicens@sequorlaw.com.
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Cooperation Agreement with the Rome Bar
The
International Law Section of the Florida Bar and the
Rome Bar will sign a Cooperation Agreement to promote a closer relationship between the two organizations. The agreement will be signed in Rome, on the occasion of a joint conference on Privacy Rights which will be held on
December 21, 2018 at the Palace of Justice in Rome. For more information, please refer to the event's
brochure.
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ILS Signs Cooperation Agreement with Indian National Bar Association ("INBA") at the INBA's 7th Annual International Conference
The Indian National Bar Association's 7th Annual International Conference titled "69th Constitution Day" that was held in collaboration with The Florida Bar International Law Section on November 26, 2018 at the Shangri La's Eros Hotel, New Delhi, was a great success.
Prior to the conference the INBA had a message received from Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for the initiative taken by the organization and wishing the INBA all the success. The conference had participation from Legal Luminaries, Senior Government Officials, Legal Departments of Fortune 500 companies such as Microsoft and Adidas, International Law Firms, Senior Lawyers and Judges. The conference was even mentioned in one of India's national newspapers Hindustan Times the next morning honoring the legal team of Hindustan Times with an award.
The conference brought together leaders and professionals in an open dialogue under one roof to discuss the issues faced in India and in the U.S. and to develop possible strategies.
Additionally, the Florida Bar International Law Section signed a
Bar Cooperation Agreement with the Indian National Bar Association
as a symbol of collaboration and a mutual desire to strengthen the relationship between Florida and India.
The conference was followed by a US-India Symposium on November 27 in which the Florida Bar International Law Section delegates were introduced to several organizations and its members and had the opportunity to speak for instance at the Center for Trade and Investment Law in New Delhi. In addition, our speakers enjoyed trips to the Courts of New Delhi, the Taj Mahal, sightseeing and experienced Indian culture and food with locals.
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CALL FOR VOLUNTEER ARBITRATORS - 2019 Vis Pre-Moot
The Florida Bar International Law Section Richard DeWitt Memorial Vis Pre-Moot committee is in search for volunteers to serve as arbitrators on Saturday, February 23, 2019 (the day after the iLaw 2019 Conference) for the ILS Vis Pre-Moot held at JAMS Miami Resolution Center in Brickell. The ILS Vis Pre-Moot all-day event prepares law students from the largest law schools in Florida and beyond for the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot in Vienna.
There will be CLE available for all volunteer arbitrators.
We need volunteer arbitrators for both the morning and afternoon rounds.
If you are interested in serving as a volunteer arbitrator or would like more information, please email the Vis Pre-Moot Steering Committee at ilspremoot@gmail.com and indicate your availability and preferences.
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Ava Borrasso Published on Young Arbitrators Review
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Ava Borrasso's article titled "Overview of U.S. Court Treatment of Interim Measures in Support of International Arbitration" has been published by Young Arbitration Review in its October 2018 issue. The article discusses recent U.S. court decisions involving direct actions for interim measures as well as judicial enforcement of arbitral interim relief orders. YAR is a quarterly publication that consists of contributions by international arbitration practitioners worldwide. The Year 7 | Ed. 31 issue may be accessed at yar.com.pt.
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Jennifer Diaz at the OWIT International World Conference
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Jennifer Diaz, President of Diaz Trade Law and OWIT International, organized and led the OWIT International 18th World Conference from October 24-25, 2018 in Nairobi, Kenya.
In response to global demand and burgeoning trends in trade modernization, OWIT International brought back its 18th World Conference. In recognition of Nairobi's vast potential to engage in global trade, OWIT International selected it's OWIT Chapter in Nairobi, Kenya as the host for this year's conference. On October 24-25, 2018, OWIT members around the globe converged with supporters and experts in their field to empower both the local community and business leaders throughout the world. Day one consisted of a capacity-building workshop for local women entrepreneurs seeking to take their business across borders. Day Two was a conference for trade practitioners and policy makers from around the world discussing best practices, what's next for the future of trade, and what women's roles should be in that future. OWIT greatly appreciated all participants and valued-partners. We look forward to next year's conference taking place October 24-26, 2019, in Tampa, FL.
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Isis Carbajal Joins MDO Partners
MDO PARTNERS expands with the addition of Isis Carbajal, a Board Certified education attorney with over 35 years of experience in the Florida State University System.
Ms. Carbajal will serve as Compliance Counsel and lead the firm's new Higher Education Compliance Practice to represent colleges and universities on legal and compliance issues, including academic matters, employment and administrative law, and ethics. She will also assist higher education clients with compliance programs, including policies, training and internal investigations.
Formerly, Carbajal was a founding member of the Florida International University (FIU) General Counsel's Office where she served as a senior attorney for over 20 years. Prior to FIU, she served as Associate General Counsel at the University of Florida, immediately following her role as Staff Attorney with the US Department of Education.
Carbajal was born in Cuba and is fluent in English and Spanish. She received her law degree from the University of Pennsylvania, and her B.A., with high honors, from the University of Florida.
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Venezuelan Billionaire, Its Treasurer, and Former Bank Owner,
Indicted for FCPA Violations Involving Over $1 Billion in Bribes
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By Richard Montes De Oca*
Last month, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced its indictment in the Southern District of Florida of Venezuelan billionaire, Raul Gorrin Belisario (Gorrin), who owns Globovision news network. Gorrin was indicted for one count of conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, and nine counts of money laundering. Alejandro Andrade (Andrade), Venezuela's treasurer under late Hugo Chavez's government, pleaded guilty to receiving the bribes in the same scheme. Gabriel Jimenez ("Jimenez"), former owner of the Dominican Republic-based Banco Peravia, also pleaded guilty to participating in the bribery scheme.
According to the indictment, Gorrin paid millions of dollars to Venezuelan high-ranking officials, including Andrade, to secure the rights to conduct foreign currency exchange transactions at favorable rates for the government, taking advantage of Venezuela's exchange controls. Gorrin and the officials also worked together with other parties to launder the money used in the payments. In addition to paying the bribes directly to the officials, Gorrin made payments through luxury gifts such as jets, a yacht, real estate, high-end watches, platinum and gold, etc.
Because all subjects have connections with the United States and many of the transactions involved in the scheme occurred in the U.S., they were subject to prosecution for FCPA violations. Gorrin is a Venezuelan citizen with a residence in Miami, Florida. Andrade, a Venezuelan citizen, resides in Wellington, Florida. Jimenez is also a Venezuelan citizen with a residence in Chicago, Illinois, and he pleaded guilty in assisting the laundering of money through the Peravia Bank, which he acquired to participate in the scheme. This FCPA enforcement action is one of the many focused on conduct in Venezuela, which is part of a U.S. effort to crack down on the use of the U.S. financial system to further corruption in Venezuela.
With the DOJ's aggressive enforcement against bribery and money laundering schemes all over the world, it is more critical than ever for companies to evaluate their FCPA and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) compliance risk, and establish or improve their Anti-Corruption and AML Compliance Programs to mitigate such risks.
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*Richard Montes De Oca is Managing Partner at MDO Partners is a boutique law firm that focuses on Corporate, International, and Real Estate Law, as well as Global Compliance and Business Ethics.
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The International Law Section of the Florida Bar
and the Rome Bar
will sign a Cooperation Agreement to promote a closer relationship between the two organizations. The agreement will be signed in Rome, on the occasion of a joint conference on Privacy Rights which will be held on December 21, 2018
at the Palace of Justice in Rome. For more information, please refer to the event's
brochure
.
January 30, 2019
On January 30, 2019 the ILS will host an audio webinar titled H-1B Processing: Navigating Troubled Waters in
These Turbulent Times
.
This audio webcast will offer a practical approach to the preparation of the H-1B visa petition taking into consideration USCIS regulations and current policy including adjudication trends at the Service Centers. For more information, please refer to the event's brochure. To register please visit this link.
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REGISTRATION IS OPEN for iLaw 2019
Please join us for our annual flagship conference on
Friday, February 22, 2019 at the
JW Marriott Marquis in Miami. This year's conference will feature programming on hot issues in international litigation, arbitration, and business transactions. As in previous years, we have teamed up with the
International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR) for the international arbitration track. We have limited rooms available, so reserve your room early! For more information please visit our website,
www.internationallawsection.org, or contact this year's co-chairs,
Jacqueline Villalba,
jvillalba@harpermeyer.com;
Kristin Drecktrah Paz,
kpaz@shutts.com; or
Cristina Vicens
cvicens@sequorlaw.com.
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International Law Quarterly (ILQ)
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The
Fall 2018 ILQ - Focus on Asia
is now available to view and download here.
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